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» 'This is about deterrence:' Largest ammo shipment to Europe in 20 years delivered

'This is about deterrence:' Largest ammo shipment to Europe in 20 years delivered

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From Stripes.com

A container full of ammunition is offloaded from the U.S. Naval Ship Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Nordenham, Germany. More than 600 containers of mixed munitions, the largest Army-run shipment in more than 20 years, arrived at the port and were moved to Miesau for storage and distribution throughout Europe. Jacob A. McDonald/U.S. Army

'This is about deterrence:' Largest ammo shipment to Europe in 20 years delivered

by: John Vandiver | .

Stars and Stripes | .

published: November 09, 2016

STUTTGART, Germany — The Army has completed its largest ammunition delivery to Europe in more than two decades. It was the second delivery of a massive stockpile of ammunition and weaponry to Europe in less than a year.

More than 600 shipping containers, providing supplies for both the Army and Air Force, arrived at Germany’s port in Nordenham Oct. 29 before being sent on to a depot in Miesau and other locations in Europe.

“This is about deterrence,” U.S. Army Europe commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said in an Army news release. “We could have 1,000 tanks over here, but if we didn’t have the ammunition for them they would not have any deterrent effect. It’s another example of the commitment of the United States to security and stability in Europe.”

The delivery comes as the military builds up in Europe, where a U.S.-based tank brigade is scheduled to deploy in early 2017. The Fort Carson-based 3rd Armored Brigade, 4th Infantry Division will arrive in Germany in January and be dispatched to Poland and other positions up and down NATO’s eastern flank. In addition, an Army combat air brigade from the 10th Mountain Division will rotate through Europe next year, with helicopter units spread across Poland and the Baltics.